Proposed Rule2023-04620
Airworthiness Directives; DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
March 8, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as interference between the emergency exit trim panel and the upholstery panel, which could result in additional effort required to open the emergency exit door. This proposed AD would require modification of the gripping strap, which maintains the upholstery panel on the emergency exit trim panel. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14301-14303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04620]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0425; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00980-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate
Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously held by
SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe
condition as interference between the emergency exit trim panel and the
upholstery panel, which could result in additional effort required to
open the emergency exit door. This proposed AD would require
modification of the gripping strap, which maintains the upholstery
panel on the emergency exit trim panel. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by April 24, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0425; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
DAHER AEROSPACE, Customer Support, Airplane Business Unit, Tarbes Cedex
9, France 65921; phone: (833) 826-2273; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#780c1a151b190a1d38441958100a1d1e45" http: daher.com">daher.com</a>">tbmcare@<a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a></a>;
website: <a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch,
FAA, 2300 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-2346;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97f1e5f2f3b9f0e2f2e5fef9d7f1f6f6b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ec8a9e8988c28b99899e8582ac8a8d8dc28b839a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-0425; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00980-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI
[[Page 14302]]
as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Fred
Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2300 S. 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2022-0149, dated July 21, 2022 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain serial-numbered
DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM
700 airplanes.
The MCAI was prompted by a report that, due to interference between
the emergency exit trim panel and the upholstery panel, additional
effort may be required to open the emergency exit door. An
investigation revealed that the gripping strap, which maintains the
upholstery panel on the emergency exit trim panel, is not properly
sized. The MCAI requires inserting a temporary revision (TR) into the
emergency procedures section of the applicable pilot's operating
handbook (POH), informing all flight crews, operating the airplane
accordingly, and modifying the gripping strap, at which time the TR can
be removed from the POH. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
lead to failure of the emergency exit door to perform its intended
function during an emergency opening, possibly resulting in reduced
evacuation capacity from the airplane and injury to occupants.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0425.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-304-25,
dated July 2022, which specifies procedures for modifying the gripping
strap on the emergency exit trim panel.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI and service information described above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the MCAI, except as discussed under ``Differences Between this
Proposed AD and the MCAI.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI requires inserting a TR into the emergency procedures
section of the applicable POH, informing all flight crews, and
thereafter, operating the airplane accordingly until the modification
of the gripping strap, at which time the TR can be removed from the
POH. This proposed AD would only require modifying the gripping strap
because FAA regulations mandate compliance with only the operating
limitations section of the POH and not the emergency procedures
section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 841 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Modification of the gripping strap.... 1 work-hour x $85 per $300 $385 $323,785
hour = $85.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[[Page 14303]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA): Docket
No. FAA-2023-0425; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00980-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 24, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously
held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 434 through
1424 inclusive, except serial numbers 1408 and 1420, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5220, Emergency
Exits.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as interference
between the emergency exit trim panel and the upholstery panel,
which could result in additional effort required to open the
emergency exit door. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this
condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to
failure of the emergency exit door to perform its intended function
during an emergency opening, resulting in reduced evacuation
capacity from the airplane and injury to occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the
gripping strap on the emergency exit trim panel by following, as
applicable for your serial-numbered airplane, sections A, B, and C
in the Description of Accomplishment Instructions in Daher Aerospace
Service Bulletin SB 70-304-25, dated July 2022 (Daher SB 70-304-25),
except where Daher SB 70-304-25 specifies to discard certain parts,
this AD requires removing those parts from service. If the
operational check of the emergency exit fails, before further
flight, re-modify the gripping strap on the emergency exit trim
panel by following, as applicable for your serial-numbered airplane,
sections A, B, and C in the Description of Accomplishment
Instructions in Daher SB 70-304-25 until it passes this operational
check, except where Daher SB 70-304-25 specifies to discard certain
parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in Sec. 39.19. In accordance with Sec. 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail
it to the address identified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD or email
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b88195f9eeeb95f9f1ea958f8b8895f9f5f7fbf8ded9d996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="487165091e1b6509011a657f7b78650905070b082e2929662f273e">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing information, also submit
information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(i) Additional Information
(1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2022-0149, dated July 21, 2022, for related information. This EASA
AD may be found in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No.
FAA-2023-0425.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Fred Guerin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2300 S 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-2346; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a5c485f5e145d4f5f4853547a5c5b5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5c3d7c0c18bc2d0c0d7cccbe5c3c4c48bc2cad3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-304-25, dated July
2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact DAHER
AEROSPACE, Customer Support, Airplane Business Unit, Tarbes Cedex 9,
France 65921; phone: (833) 826-2273; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6d2c4cbc5c7d4c3e69ac786ced4c3c09b" http: daher.com">daher.com</a>">tbmcare@<a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a></a>;
website: <a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2a4b0ecabacb1b2a7a1b6abadac82aca3b0a3eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="187e6a3671766b687d7b6c7177765876796a79367f776e">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on March 2, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04620 Filed 3-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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